Monday, November 2, 2009

Day 2 of VBT Anniversary Tour -- Karen Cioffi

Today is day 2 of our VBT Writers on the Move group’s Anniversary Tour during the month of November. We are celebrating being together as a group for one year by having a daily winner from among the non-member visitors who leave a comment on that day’s blog (Today that would be THIS blog), plus we also will have one monthly winner from the Mystery Blog for the month (i.e., one visitor commenter on the blog site that happens to be the chosen Mystery Blog out of all the group’s blogs will win a special gift). So, all you visitors, be sure to read the new blog posting each day and be sure to leave a daily comment to be eligible for the prizes. Good luck!

This is the second stop on the 23-day Anniversary Tour. (If it’s 2 November, we must be at Harry’s blog!) I am quite pleased to have as my guest today our VBT group leader, Karen Cioffi. Karen has a brand new e-book available, The Self-Publisher’s Guide.



Now, let’s take a closer look at Karen’s new ebook:

Title: The Self-Publisher's Guide
An e-Book by Karen Cioffi
Publisher: Lulu.com
Number of Pages: 22
Price: $3.99 (for the time being). Hey, that's not bad - a writing and publishing guide for the price of a cup of coffee.

It's available for sale now!

So, what's in the book, you ask?

Ah, there's quite a lot!

Here's a DESCRIPTION:

Do you have a book in you dying to come out? Do you want to self-publish a book you’ve already written, but you’re not sure what to do? Do you need basic writing and promotional tips and guidance?

Well, The Self-Publisher’s Guide is for you!

From Writing Your Book, to Self-Publishing Options, to Creating a Website, to Promotion - it's all included in this handy guide.

TOPICS INCLUDE: learning to write, critique groups, being ready for publishing, choosing a publishing company, creating visibility through promotional strategies, bringing traffic to your site, resources, tools, and much more.

Great self-publishing and promotional tips, advice, information, and examples!

For NEW SUBSCRIBERS to her Karen and Robyn – Writing for Children’s Newsletter, Karen is giving the first 2 parts of the e-book for free: Your Self-Publishing Options, and Writing Your Book.

Direct link to book:
http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/the-self-publishers-guide/7747521


Q&A:

Karen, your first book is a bedtime picture book. What prompted you to write this e-book?

I attend a number of marketing and writing tele-seminars and found that there are many people who don’t know the basics. I wanted to be able to reach these people and others in the same boat and offer some affordable help. So, I decided to write a guide to self-publishing but included the basics also, from writing a book to creating visibility.

I thought it would be a simple 5-10 page e-book, but it grew. Since it’s about self-publishing for beginners what better way to create it than through a self-publishing avenue - I used Lulu.com. And, it didn’t cost a penny! You can do it too!



Karen Cioffi's Blogs and Website Links:

http://dkvwriting4u.com (writing services with Karen Cioffi, Lea Schizas, Robyn Feltman and Donald Ventrice)

http://karenandrobyn.blogspot.com (writing, marketing, book reviews and the Karen and Robyn Newsletter)

http://daysendlullaby.blogspot.com (information about Karen’s children’s bedtime picture book, with sheet music to the original lullaby included)

http://vbt-writersonthemove.blogspot.com (group of authors who utilize cross-promotion to create/increase visibility and readership)

http://nothingventurednothinggained.org (health information and option specifically geared toward Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Depression, and Anxiety

To whet your appetite, here's an EXCERPT from The Self-Publisher’s Guide:

“You might think writing your book and getting it published is the hard part. Well, you had better think again!

Although your book is for sale, that doesn’t mean anyone is going to buy it – even if it’s listed on Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. The only way to lead readers to your book, and make sales, is through promotion.

The first step to selling a book is to create a quality product. You want to make sure your book is professionally edited and bound, and if there are illustrations involved, be sure they are of professional quality, or close to it.

The second step in selling your book is making people aware of it.

This is where you need to roll up your sleeves and get ready for an ongoing battle uphill. Remember, you are one of thousands and thousands of writers who are trying to get their books noticed and sold.

The name of the game is visibility!

You have a few options here: advertising, hiring a publicist, and doing your own promotion (this is the free option). If you’re like me, you’ll opt for the promotion.

There are a number of ways to create free visibility for your book. We’ll take a look at a few of the basics.”


This excerpt should have convinced you that you would benefit from Karen’s e-book if you have any interest in self-publishing, either now or sometimes in the future. You should buy it!

Enjoy the remaining daily blogs each day from now through the 23rd. Please visit each day, and don’t forget to comment!

Cheers!

Harry

18 comments:

Gayle said...

This sounds like a terrific, insightful guide. Way to go, Karen!

Nancy Famolari said...

Great post, Harry. Karen, I like the idea of your book very much in the changing climate of the publishing industry, self-publishing is a very viable option. Your book sounds like a must read for writers considering this avenue.

Vivian Zabel said...

Thanks, Harry, for letting us know more about Karen and her e-book.

Dianne G. Sagan said...

Hey Harry, nice job with the interview. Karen, we absolutely would not have made it through the year without you.

Even though I am not a self-published author at this time, I use royalty presses. However, I'd like to read your book because we can never say never and I'm sure from the excerpt that there is valuable information for all of us.

Katie Hines said...

Karen, your ebook sounds great! As an author with my book to be released soon, I am dreading (to a certain extent) the promotional aspect of it. I have done a lot of promotional type things already, but am wanting to get into the schools and bookstores.

Anonymous said...

I love anything to do with change in the publsihing world, being the self-publisher I am. Change is good. Best wishes for your success, Karen.

Stephen Tremp

Karen Cioffi said...

Harry, thank you so much for hosting me during our Anniversary tour.

And, thank you all for stopping by and visiting.

There are many reason why some people choose to self-publish, from questionable health to wanting a book primarily for a family treasure.

I wanted to offer some guidance for those choosing the path less traveled. Although, as many of you mentioned, that path is becoming a little more crowded!

Thanks again,
Karen

Carolyn Howard-Johnson said...

That's our Karen. And thanks, Harry, for dropping by www.thenewbookreview.blogspot.com to see about the full book tour and leave a comment.

Happy blogaversary, Karen. Kudos!

Carolyn

Darcía Helle said...

Great post, Harry!

Karen, your e-book sounds like it has terrific advice and tidbits of info that all self-published and aspiring authors could use. Best of luck with it!

Unknown said...

Hi, Karen and Harry. Nice job. Karen, you have such great organizational skills as well as people skills. Those are the qualities needed to market a self published book. I know your info is invaluable. Happy Blogaversary and thank you for all your hard work!

Margaret Fieland said...

Karen, this guide sounds very interesting -- you've got me hooked.

Margaret Fieland
http://www.margaretfieland.com/

The Old Silly said...

Sounds like a very helpful and useful book. Well done, Karen, and Harry, thanks for putting this feature post together!

Marvin D Wilson

Deborah Weed said...

Karen,
You are such a doer! It is such an inspiration that you just jump into every opportunity. There is always a tipping point and the e-book is a terrific way to get more exposure.

Harry Gilleland said...

Greetings and thanks to all commenters!

I have just returned from out of town, and I am pleased to see so many comments. Karen and I appreciate each and every one of you for reading and leaving a comment. Be sure to check out Karen's new e-book.

Cheers!

Harry

Heidiwriter said...

Hi Karen,
Nice to "meet" our fearless leader! Great to have a guide on self-publishing.

Heidi

Anonymous said...

I've been curious abut self publishing. so far I have 3 books with a POD publisher. i love my publisher, but a lot of the promotion will be up to me. you might try to market your book to authors with smaller publisher.

I'm joining VBT don't include me on drawing. =+(
blessings,
Aday Kennedy

Liana said...

Congratulations, Karen! You have accomplished so many things. And good luck to your book!
Liana

Helena Harper said...

I think this guide would have been an invaluable aid to me when I decided to get my first book published. I've learnt about things as I've gone along but it's all happened AFTER the fact. It's always good to inform yourself about things BEFORE you launch into them. And Karen's ebook is affordable for all! What a great idea to produce such a book, Karen.

And for anyone wondering what to buy a young child for Christmas, particularly if they have trouble settling down before bedtime, I would recommend Karen's children's book, Day's End Lullaby - it's a lovely soothing read/song for both children and adults!

Helena